Customizable Slidable Shelving and Support System for Horticulture Applications

ABSTRACT

The invention is a customizable, slidable shelving and support apparati and system for supporting, storing and accessing horticultural and agricultural specimens within growing spaces, allowing growers to utilize the maximum amount of their linear horizontal and vertical grow space and service specific areas of the garden enterprise while also allowing for maximum workspace through the use of a table and track system that provides stackable options of multiple grow layers. A method of using this slidable shelving and support apparati and system is also included.

PRIORITY

This application is claims priority under US 35 USC 119 from ProvisionalApplication No. 62/810,589 entitled “Customizable Slidable Shelving andSupport System for Horticulture Applications” filed Feb. 26, 2019.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to customizable slidable shelving and supportsystems for horticulture applications as used in greenhouses,warehouses, residential, and agricultural enterprises with limited floorspace, adaptability of shelving units, and accessibility.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Most warehouses and greenhouses have limited floor, storage, and workingspace available for staged growth phases and vertical height variationof plants. This also gives residents the option to perform at homegardening in their garage or other indoor setting to avoid severeoutdoor weather and pest issues. Portable and non-portable shelvingunits occupy limited linear and vertical space within storage spaces,warehouse and greenhouse areas for staged optimal energy consumption toachieve optimal growth and cultivation.

Previous shelving apparati have presented limitations and disadvantages.

Many shelving units for horticultural purposes are placed upon limitedfloor space creating limited types, amounts and growth phases of plantswhich can be accommodated. Permanent shelving structures are limited inaccessibility and must be withdrawn to gain access when maximizing theplanar surfaces usable for various potted plants. Many times the accessis limited as the top tier(s) are restricted from being fully customizedfor vertical variation of growth phases and plant type or aremanufactured with a permanent design configuration. Greenhaus Industries(http://www.greenhausinc.com/), with PIPP Horticulture(http://www.pipphorticulture.com/), makes shelving systems with traysthat are formed from a single piece of material, making them extremelyheavy and large and restricting customization layout options. The wheelis recessed into a track, which when the wheel is introduced to theslightest variation in degree causes the wheel to jam in the track andnot slide. Recessed track collects debris which prevents smooth movementof table. A gear system is employed to assist in table movementproviding more moving parts thus increasing the difficulty ofinstallation. Because their rack sits on a carriage, the bottom portionof the table is solid which restricts crucial lower air movement.

Another company manufactures rolling tables is Rolling Herb Systems(https://www.facebook.com/rollingherbsystems/). They offer a rack andtrack arrangement used together with a separate tray that can bepurchased.

Portable, or non-secured, shelving units and systems commonly used inhorticultural practice are relatively large in size and can be heavy andawkward to move on a floor surface. Movement with a non-tracked shelvingand storage system in contact with the floor or ceiling surface canpotentially mar the floor or other contact surface. Additional force isrequired to reposition the unit and access subsequent shelving units inthat the contact surfaces are not designed to be laterally moved acrossa surface. Location, weight and size put a user in danger of personalinjury due to limited space, awkward positioning of the body, and thepotential of toppling the shelving unit.

Borroughs Corporation (http.//www.borroughs.com) manufactures atable/tray system that lacks sturdiness and the ability for the table tobe put on tracks for mobility. This company is now using similarcarriage system as PIPP Horticulture to make racks mobile. Also, likePIPP, their racks are not sturdy enough and lack the sheer support tosimply mount the wheels to the rack.

Another company, Montel (http.//www.montel.com/) constructed a tablesystem known as “Greenrak”. This system is designed using alreadyexisting mobile pallet racking systems which are being“cross-advertised” in the growing industry. The disadvantage of thissystem is that it was built for moving a very heavy load capacity whichis extreme overkill for horticulture applications. Therefore, consumerspends high premiums on this system for a purpose that does not benefitthem.

In cases where shelving units are firmly secured within the locatingstructures, the securing methods and confined space constraints severelylimit, if not prohibit, shelving access. Securing shelving and supportsystems from unwanted movement, especially those in an accessibleposition, has not been addressed in previous designs.

In order to overcome the limitations described above, the operation of acustomizable, slidable shelving and support system is required toprovide easy mobility and allows for a workspace without wastingcritical growing space.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

European Patent Application No. 1380230, to Ital Nomet SpA (Italy),describes a base for moveable shelving able to be arranged in a storagewarehouse, a depot, or similar, where movement of the shelving isassociated with a plurality of wheels, some of which are drive wheels,with associated drive means, allowing easy movement of the shelving. Theshelving is slidably located on a track where at least two of the wheelsserve as guide wheels.

German Patent No. 20 2012 100 513 U1, assigned to Atroisaxe (France),describes shelving and racking system for the storage of files andproducts, where the system allows for storage compression and increasedutilization of space. The shelving system is located on a track wheelsystem where dual wheel encasements are positioned on the within thetrack system. The shelving associated with this system is notcustomizable and is not designed for outdoor use or indoor use where theshelving unit comes in contact with water or wet/damp materials.

U. S. Pat. No. 2,828,826, to C. C. Riemenschneider, provides for aportable rack suitable for storage of items in close serial relationalongside an aisle and are individually moveable outward into the aislefor loading articles thereon and removal of articles therefrom. The rackhas two spaced apart elongated trucks which are suitable spaced part inparallel relation, each having a pair of wheels by which the rack issupported in a portable manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,007,708, to W. F. Ochs, relates to transportablelight-weight rack assemblies for use in warehouses, stock rooms, whichcan be readily assembled or disassembled and may be readily adjustableas the shelves are connected to the rear and end walls, constructed ofwelded wire mesh, by means of hooks. The racks possess wheels fortransport; however the wheels are not located on a track system. Use ofthe rack without wheels for transport is possible; however no mountingbracket is supplied for securing the rack.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,138, to M. A. Travis, describes a storage racksystem of basic rack and frame components, where supplemental elementscan assemble to the basic components to form a variety of segregated andprotected storage areas for items of various shapes and sizes. Thestorage rack system is stackable at various heights, and designed toform a walkway between racks. Untracked wheels are incorporated for easeof movement.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2010/0107489, N. Silver, describes anadjustable plant growing stand, a mounting clip for attaching a lightingfixture to an adjustable plant growing stand, and a method ofilluminating plants. The upper shelf is fixed and a lower shelf isadjustable, and the shelves are slidably coupled to the legs. The loweradjustable shelf can include attachment mechanisms configured to fix thevertical height of the lower adjustable shelf relative to the upperfixed shelf. Each lighting fixture can include a plantgrowth-stimulating light source, and each lighting fixture can beremovably coupled to the upper fixed shelf.

U. S. Pat. No. 8,151,518, assigned to New York Sun Works (New York),describes a vertically-integrated greenhouse for a lobby, interioratrium or similar glass or open structure to be used for growing plantsin suspended a moveable array of plant trays. Spacing and arrangement ofthe trays within the system can be adjusted to maximize crop yield. Thesystem can be used to reduce building maintenance costs by providingshade, air treatment, and evaporative cooling to building occupants. Awater distribution system is employed to provide irrigation and drainageof the plant trays.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2018/0042192, assigned to Eden Works, Inc.,provides a vertically-stacked growing system possessing horizontalshelves respectively arranged on different vertical levels. Eachhorizontal shelf has multiple walls to form a shallow pond when thehorizontal shelf contains a plant nutrient water culture, therebyconstituting a growing layer of the growing system. A plurality ofgerminated plants are situated on a plurality of rafts. A raftconveyance system is employed to move at least a first raft of theplurality of rafts through a first shallow pond contained in the firsthorizontal shelf.

U. K. Patent Application No. 2481823, to R. Sabin and M. Lawrence,describes a vertical plant growing system adapted to stand substantiallyvertical, and supporting at least two rows of at least one plant pot oneabove the other, and the support means supports each pot at an angle ofbetween 35 Å° to 55 Å°. Water is delivered into the top of each pot in afirst upper row of plant pots, directed water drains from the bottom ofeach plant pot into the top of each plant pot below it. The systemcollects water from the bottom of each plant pot in a bottom row ofplant pots. The pots maybe supported at an angle of 45 Å°. Baffles maybeprovided on each support means to direct water through an aperture. Theapertures on one shelf may be staggered laterally relative to apertureson a shelf below. A trough at the top of the frame may provide the meansto deliver water into the top of each pot.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2016/0345518, assigned to Team Green Ltd.,presents a vertical tier growing system for growing plants. The systemincludes at least one vertically tiered shelf section secured to andmovable along a floor track. Each section has its own means to directnutrient fluid and light to plants growing on each section. Moreespecially, a vertical tiered growing system that is modular instructure with individual tiered sections movable about a track assemblythereby to reduce the footprint of the system to allow it to beaccommodated in areas where space is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shelving and support system of the present disclosure is mounted onwheels and tracks to allow for slidability in such a manner as toencounter limited or no resistance to or impedance of movement, once thetrack wheel system is engaged. The track/wheel system is provided foruse with a customizable, slidable shelving and support system thatincludes a method and apparatus designed to eliminate sticking orskewing of the wheels within the tracks and to prevent misalignment ofthe wheel within the track

More specifically, this disclosure describes one or more portableslidable shelving and support apparati with a customizable tierconfiguration that includes interlocking trays with optional trayinserts comprising: a left side tray portion, a center tray portion andan optional right side tray portion, wherein the left side tray portion,center tray portion, and right side tray portion include a top planarportion wherein the slidable shelving and support apparati also includesa frame comprising a front beam, a sloped gutter, a rear beam, anoptional center support cross member, a left upright support panel, anda right upright support panel wherein the rear beam is connected to theupright support panel and wherein a sloped gutter mounts to a backsideof left and right upright support panels and is attached to the frontbeam so that the sloped gutter remains visible and wherein the rear beamis secured in an elevated position relative to the front beam thatallows for increased drainage of interlocking trays and wherein theupright support panels include one or more grooved wheels attached toeach leg of the upright support panels via an aperture that extendsthrough a wheel axle and a fixture that utilizes the aperture such thatthe fixture is placed upon a mounted floor track surface wherein theslidable shelving and support apparati provides at least one workstationand/or storage area and thereby provides an optimal growth platform forbotanical plants from which botanical extracts are extracted byplacement of the support apparati in specific locations within certaingeographic regions that include glass enclosed rooms and/or houses.

Here, additional features may be added that include a trellis polelocated at least one or more of each top corner section of each of theupright support panels and wherein offset slotted mounting aperturesexist for one or more upright supports that may be opposing uprightsupports.

The trays inserts have rounded edges and the tray inserts serve asworkstation platforms occupied by plants and wherein the tray insertsare tilted downward and allow for water run-off to the sloped gutter.

The tray inserts are normally equal in height to that of the dividingwalls of the interlocking trays so that when the tray inserts are set inplace, each entire tray insert surface is level in a horizontaldirection along a horizontal plane and allows placement of objects onany portion of the tray insert surface.

In a further embodiment interlocking trays are configured tointerconnect to provide a configuration as follows; the left sideportion (L) is connected to a center portion (C_(n)) that is connectedto a right side portion (R) that depends on a desired total width(d_(T)) of the slidable shelving and support apparatus, wherein C_(n),is optional and n=0,1,2 and wherein a width (d) of each interlockingtray is a combined width comprising as d_(L) a width of the left trayportion, d_(Cn) a width of the center tray portion and d_(R), a width ofthe right tray portion respectively, where a total width (d_(T)) of allthree tray portions within a fully assembled shelving and supportapparatus is determined using Equation (1);

d _(T) =d _(L) +d _(Cn) +d _(R)   (1)

Often the trays include a predetermined drop along a bottom back panelof the interlocking trays that lock the trays onto the rear beam and acorresponding predetermined drop along the bottom front panel that locksthe tray onto the sloped gutter and wherein the gutter locks onto and/oris part of, the front beam.

In further embodiments, a front portion of each tray is built without alip portion so that water is allowed to run into the sloped gutter andmay also include an optional angled left side tab on a front leftportion of the left tray and an angled right side tab on a front rightportion of the right tray that directs a flow of water inward thatthereby assures water falls into the sloped gutter and prevents the trayinserts from sliding out of place.

The trays can include two or more hanging orifices in a rear wall of theinterlocking trays that provide an ability for hanging the interlockingtrays in a position that allows for time savings in cleaning/pressurewashing the interlocking trays.

In addition the slidable shelving is a two-tiered customizable slidableshelving and support system connected in series to another bay bysharing a single support upright consisting of a base channel supportpanel connected to an extension upright via a securing sleeve withdriveshafts that connect each driven wheel axle along an entire lengthof the connected slidable shelving and support apparatus and isprotected from accidental bending by drive shaft covers secured by boltsto both a front face and a top face of one or more wheel channels.

Also, the drive shaft(s) are connected to one or more drive axles of oneor more drive wheels that are supported by two flange bearings bolted toa base wheel channel that allows for a portion of a base channel supportpanel using a securing sleeve that can also support an upright.

In addition, a method is provided for using one or more portableslidable shelving and support devices with customizable tierconfigurations that utilize interlocking trays with optional trayinserts comprising: a left side tray portion, a center tray portion andan optional right side tray portion, wherein said left side trayportion, center tray portion, and right side tray portion include a topplanar portion wherein the slidable shelving and support apparati alsoincludes a frame comprising a front beam, a sloped gutter, a rear beam,an optional center support cross member, a left upright support panel,and a right upright support panel wherein the rear beam is connected tothe upright support panel and wherein a sloped gutter mounts to abackside of left and right upright support panels and is attached to thefront beam so that the sloped gutter remains visible and wherein therear beam is secured in an elevated position relative to the front beamthat is allowing for increasing drainage of interlocking trays andwherein the upright support panels include one or more grooved wheelsattached to each leg of the upright support panels via an apertureextending through a wheel axle and a fixture utilizing the aperture suchthat the fixture is placed upon a mounted floor track surface whereinthe slidable shelving and support apparati are providing at least oneworkstation and/or storage area and thereby providing an optimal growthplatform for botanical plants from which botanical extracts areextracted by placement of the support apparati in specific locationswithin certain geographic regions including glass enclosed rooms and/orhouses.

The shelving system is also designed to house plants throughout theirlifecycle in a clean efficient way with the added functionality of beingable to surface mount lighting, trellises, water recycling systems,fans, working platforms, and other customizable options as desired bythe user.

Thus, providing an easily moveable support frame that allows for ease ofplacement of the slidable shelving and support system for horticultureapplications is desirable. This includes securing of the system and fullaccessibility for all areas of the system without diminishing theuseable amount of floor space and increasing the usable vertical space,where use of the floor space and vertical space is customizable.

A customizable slidable shelving and support system for horticultureapplications is provided which includes interlocking trays that allowfor water drainage, corrugated food grade ABS inserts/risers, andgutters seamlessly incorporated into cross beams alleviating the needfor screws/bolts or other fasteners that could provide leakage pointswithin the drainage portion of the system. The gutter placement is setback in line with the face of upright support panels so that the guttersare protected, but the gutters remain easily accessible toservice/clean. In addition, there are custom uprights that interlock tostack on top of each other along with having the capability to house thetrack wheels for bottom upright support panels. Another possibility isfor a gutter: Current competitor bulkhead fittings rise up (normallyabout ¼″) on the inside of the gutter requiring the water level in thegutter to have to rise a quarter inch in order to fall down the hole,leaving undesired stagnant water in the gutters at all times. Ratherthan there only being a hole (aperture) for the drain that requires abulkhead fitting or something similar, there is a weld on the 1″ malethreading on the underside of the opening (hole). This will eliminatethe need of the bulkhead fitting and allow water to fall directly downthe hole further eliminating stagnant water, water waste, and reducingcleaning requirements, when compared to current bulkhead fittings.

Other features include a custom fabricated galvanized steel or aluminumtrack, quick mount rubber bumpers, and support brackets that will easilymount to cross members and upright support panels to provide shearstress support required to ensure the shelving is capable of reducing oreliminating any uneven shifting or “play”. This allows the ability tocreate enough rigidness to assure that multiple trays tables can beinterlocked and moved without the trays of the shelving and supportsystem becoming uneven and causing wheels to bind with the track. Thesliding shelving also has custom trellis poles that interlock with thetop of uprights and provide the user an ability to easily adjust trellispole height.

The customizable shelving includes various length options that allowmaximum functionality and capabilities that work together with existingstructural supports/obstacles. Using 2′ by 4′ trays to assemble 4′, 6′and 8′ trays, helps make shipping the shelving easier/cheaper becausethere no packaging/protecting/shipping of large packaging/boxes orpalletizing for shipping is required. This also allows for ease of useincluding ease of leaning, transporting, and initial setup of a growingfacility where this shelving is employed.

By using as many interlocking methods as possible, the assembly processof these shelving units is simplified and saves both time and additionalcosts associated with completing currently available assemblies. Minimaltools are required for assembly, which include a Phillips-head screwdriver and cheap throw away wrenches to put on wheels and a mallet totap components into place mallet is optional.

The style and utility of the telescoping trellis pole is unique and thecorrugated style insert eliminates flat and rough or sharp edge surfacesthereby creating maximum safety and atmospheric oxygen access to theroot zone of plants being grown within the shelving assembly.

As the shelving and support system is movable, plumbing and electricalrequirements are more complicated than for conventional shelving. Thereare many techniques that allow for overcoming these obstacles such asemploying a dynamic holding assembly made to assist with overheadplumbing/electrical as provided in the drawings and associatedembodiments.

Additional designs include a track that integrates a no-tip mechanism toassure there is no possibility of tipping during an earthquake and willassist clients that must pass earth quake proof inspections. Anattachment can then be attached above the wheel onto upright thatextends outward and drops down and into the channel so that it hooksinto the channel without touching to allow for it to move through thechannel as table is moved. If the table does somehow have enough forceto tip, this attachment will be locked into the channel and prevent itfrom tipping.

Movement of the shelving and support system is achieved simply bypushing the table in the forward or reverse direction required. Otheradditional features can include a hand crank with interlocking gears tomove the shelving. A chain will then connect the lower gear/sprocket tothe upper gear/sprocket that is attached to the hand crank. This willallow for user to turn the hand crank that will then move the table rowfrom right to left with ease. Finally, electrical energy can be suppliedto provide for mobility of the system. This requires use of an electricpowered motor that attaches to bottom of the upright support panels. Themotor then turns a gear that interlocks with a track attached to theground, or provides a means of force to propel the shelving system, ormultiple layers of shelving systems, in a forward or reverse directionalong the wheel track.

There will also be optional brackets that quickly connect to the face ofthe uprights that one can attach “wall mount” style fans to. Thesebrackets will fit on uprights in a way that will not allow the fans tointerfere with existing tables and will allow for fans to be attachedback to back (two fans facing opposite directions) for optimal optionsand air circulation.

The unique connection system of the slidable shelving and support systemallows that the platform can be placed at any height from 6 inches offthe ground with no vertical limitation.

We will have brackets similar to the fan brackets that quickly connectto the face of the uprights. Once two rows of tables are opened tocreate an aisle, the brackets will be placed across from each other atdesired height and will receive and house the custom support beam. Thisbeam will have corresponding attachment points that will fit into thebrackets to ensure they are locked in place and cannot disconnect oncethe planks are attached. The beams attach to form a platform to walk onbetween two adjacent units. Once both beams are in place, six to eightinch (6-8″) long planks that are notched out at the ends are used tointerlock on the beams. The planks will be at six to eight inch (6-8″)increments so the aisle width is optional in six to eight inch (6-8″)increments.

An additional object of the present invention is that the slidableshelving and support system enables dry storage of consumer items asneeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a single-tier customizable, slidableshelving and support system.

FIG. 1A is an illustrated side view of a single-tiered slidable shelvingand support system.

FIG. 1B provides a worm's-eye view of the slidable shelving and supportsystem.

FIG. 1C is an elevated view of the planar workstation portion of asingle-tiered slidable shelving and support system

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of one of the interlocking left trays.

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of one of the interlocking center trays.

FIG. 2C is an isometric view of one of the interlocking right trays.

FIG. 2D is an isometric view of one of the interlocking tray inserts.

FIG. 2E is a detailed illustration of the rear portion of theinterlocking trays.

FIG. 2F is a detailed illustration of the front portion of theinterlocking trays.

FIG. 3 is a detailed illustration of a two-tiered customizable, slidableshelving and support system connected in series.

FIG. 3A is a detailed illustration of a secured front gutter beam to thesupport upright.

FIG. 3B is a detailed illustration of an extension upright attached to abase channel support panel using a securing sleeve.

FIG. 3C provides a detailed rear view of a two-tiered customizable,slidable shelving and support system.

FIG. 4A depicts a front beam with sloped gutter.

FIG. 4B depicts a rear beam.

FIG. 5 provides an image of a single upright support panel withcrossbar, secured wheel channel, bearing wheel, and a driven wheel withflange bearings.

FIG. 5A provides a detailed illustration of the offset slotted mountingholes found on all upright supports.

FIGS. 5B and 5C provide images of the securing sleeve for multi-tierconfigurations or optional accessories.

FIG. 6 is an image of the optional trellis pole.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are images of an optional trellis pole attached to theupright support panel.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are front, side, and rear illustrations of atwo-tiered customizable slidable shelving and support system.

FIG. 8 is a detailed illustration of the driveshaft and driven wheelaxis.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of the floor-mounted track andanti-tip mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed below are several drawings that provide for a slidable supportframe for the accessibility and portability which is needed toaccelerate plant growth and more specifically for accelerated plantgrowth primarily in greenhouses.

FIG. 1 represents a slidable shelving and support system [100], in acustomizable double tier configuration, that utilizes interlocking trayscomprising a left tray (L) [105], center tray (C) [106] (optional) andright tray (R) [107], each housing a tray insert [117] with a top planarsurface for use as a workstation or storage area. This shelving andsupport system includes a frame comprising a front beam [108] containinga sloped gutter [109] feature with a welded one-inch drain hole, a rearbeam [125] (as shown in FIG. 1B), and two upright support panels [110],or uprights. The front gutter beam [109] attaches to the two uprightsupport panels [110] on the interior face of the uprights via a boltlessslotted connection system [111] (as shown in FIG. 5A), while the rearbeam [125] attaches via the exterior face via a boltless slottedconnection system [111], the interior slotted system is offset from theexterior slots by 1 inch to provide a slope for water drainage off of[105, 106, 107] into the slopped gutter [109] which angles drainage tothe threaded drain hole. One axle-driven grooved wheel [112] (as shownin FIG. 1A is attached to each upright support panel [110] housed withinthe base channel [140] (as shown in FIG. 1A). The base channel providesa place for the wheels [112, 144] and uprights [110] to reside. Onenon-driven bearing wheel (as shown in FIG. 1A) is also attached to eachbase channel [140] and rolls freely.

The wheels roll on the two-piece mounted floor track consisting of anextruded aluminum track [114] and a steel bar [150]. A diagonal support[141] connects the base channel of left upright support panel [110] andthe base channel of right upright support panel [110]. An optional drivebox [143] mounts to the exterior of one or more uprights [110] andconnects via a sprocket to the axle on the driven grooved wheel [112].Driveshafts [139] connect each driven wheel [112] axle along the entirelength of the connected slidable shelving and support system/apparatus[100] and is protected from accidental bending by the drive shaft cover[142] (further shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B).

Optional features can be added, such as a trellis pole [115], depictedat each top corner of the upright support panels [110].

FIG. 1A provides a side view of the first-tier portion of the slidableshelving and support system [100] and upright support panels [110]provided in FIG. 1. The Drive box handle [146 ] connects to the internalmechanism of the drive box [143] and allows for precise movement of thesystem [100] or multiple connected systems with minimal effort required.The handle has an attached locking mechanism [147] which prevents thesystem from moving when the lock is engaged. Due to the offset slottedconnection system [111] (as shown in FIG. 5A) it can be seen that theoffset of the rear beam and the front gutter beam [125, 108] creates adownward slope of the interlocking trays [105, 106, 107].

Optional Anti-Tip brackets [145] can be secured to the base channels[140] of uprights to prevent any potential tipping related to seismicevents or improper use.

FIG. 1B provides a worm's-eye view of the slidable shelving and supportsystem [100], and shows the accessory mounting bracket(s) [133] attachedto the front beam [108] and rear beam [125]. The accessory mountingbracket(s)) [133] allows for attachment of lights, fans, and otherhanging features. They also provide underlying support for theinterlocking trays [105,106,107].

FIG. 1C provides an elevated view of the planar workstation portion ofthe slidable shelving and support system [100] and top planar surface ofthe interlocking trays [105,106,107] provided in FIG. 1.

The left tray (L) [105] is depicted in FIG. 2A, the center tray (C)[106] in FIG. 2B, the right tray (R) [107] in FIG. 2C.

The tray insert [117], as shown in FIG. 2D, can be constructed fromhigh-density polyethylene or food-grade ABS plastic, or other plasticmaterials that are structurally sound. The edges are rounded and theinsert serves as the workstation platform that plant pots/trays/cubesoccupy. The tray inserts [117], and trays [105, 106, 107] are slopeddownward to carry water run-off to the sloped gutter [109]. The angling,or tilting, of the tray inserts [117] is achieved by the positioning ofthe rear beam [125] in a higher offset position on the uprights [110]relative to the position of the front beam [108] based on the offset ofthe boltless slotted connection system [111]. The tray insert [117] isthe same height as the dividing walls of the interlocking trays[105,106,107], so when set in place the entire insert tray [117] surfaceis level, allowing placement of objects on any portion of the surface.

The interlocking trays [105,106,107] may be constructed of fordablemetal (or thermoplastic) and designed to interconnect in the followingconfiguration,

L [105]→Cn [106]→R [107]

depending on the desired total width (dT) of the slidable shelving andsupport system [100], where Cn is optional and n=0,1,2

and wherein the width (d) of each tray is normally at least 24 inches or2 foot wide, and provided as dL (width of left tray [105]), dCn, and dR,respectively, where the total width (dT)

of the trays [105, 106, 107] within the assembled shelving unit isdetermined by utilizing Equation (1).

d _(T) =d _(L) +d _(Cn) +d _(R)   (1)

FIGS. 1-1C represent L→Cn=2→R, where the center tray is present as twosections.

Each interlocking tray [105,106,107] in this instance, exhibits athree-quarter-inch (¾″) drop along the bottom back panel of the traythat locks the tray onto the rear beam [125] and a ¾ inch drop along thebottom front panel locks the tray onto the sloped gutter [109] whichlocks on to or is part of, the front beam [108]. The front of each tray[105,106,107] does not include a lip, thereby allowing water to run offinto a sloped gutter [109]. Hanging orifices [210] in the rear wall[209] of the interlocking trays [105,106,107] are included for hangingthe trays for cleaning/pressure washing. The left tray [105] of FIG. 2Ahas a dividing wall [212] positioned on the right] and positioned on theleft an outer wall [211]. The center tray of FIG. 2B has an left andright dividing wall [212], while the right tray [107] of FIG. 2C has aleft dividing wall [212] and a right outer wall [211].

In a further embodiment, the interlocking trays [105, 106, 107] can beused without an interlocking feature, allowing for less assembly andmaterials for production. The interlocking feature can also be providedas a rubber u-channel for watertight seal placed over the adjacentdividing walls of the interlocking trays [105,106,107].

FIG. 2E and 2F are detailed illustrations of the rear and frontrespectively, of the interlocking trays [105, 106] showing theinterlocking functionality [213] which can be molded as part of the trayor a separate piece. This functions to seal the dividing walls [212] andprevents liquid from passing between the interlocking trays [105, 106,107]. The same function is found when connecting a left tray [105] andright tray [107] when Cn is optional and n=0.

FIG. 3 is a detailed illustration depicting a two-tiered customizable,slidable shelving and support system [100 a] connected in series toanother bay by sharing single support upright consisting of a basechannel [140] upright support panel [110] connected to a extensionupright [148] via a securing sleeve [119] (as shown on FIG. 3B).Driveshaft covers [142] are secured by bolts to both the front face, andthe top face of the base channel [140].

FIG. 3A is a detailed illustration of the front gutter beam [108,109]connecting to the upright [110] using the interior slots of the slottedsystem [111]. Diagonal support [128] has been removed for anunobstructed view.

FIG. 3B is a detailed illustration of an extension upright [148]attached to a base channel support panel [110] by bolts using thesecuring sleeve [119]. This connection is repeated as needed to achievethe desired total height using various lengths of extension uprights.

FIG. 3C is a detailed rear view of a two-tiered customizable, slidableshelving and support system [100 a]. Two rear beams [125] are connectedvia the exterior offset slotted system [111]. Two front gutter beams[108] are connected via the interior offset slotted system [111], herethe slope of the gutter can be seen when comparing the depth of the twogutter beams.

An extension upright [148] is connected to a base channel [140] uprightsupport panel [110] by a securing sleeve [119].

FIG. 4A depicts the front beam [108] and sloped gutter [109] whichmounts to the interior side of the upright support panels [110] via theboltless connection slot system [111]. The sloped gutter [109] directsthe water that falls from the interlocking trays [105, 106, 107] forreuse. Possessing a diminutive slope, the sloped gutter [109] directswater flow, unimpeded, to one side of the shelving system where adrainage hole is located and connects a threaded drain or similarattachment to connect plumbing to further direct flow. One embodimentwould include a welded-on threaded nipple to the bottom of the gutter;however, a bulkhead fitting could be used.

FIG. 4B illustrates the rear beam [125] which mounts onto the exteriorside of the upright support panels [110] via the boltless connectionslot system [111].

The front beam [108], sloped gutter [109] and the rear beam [125] are,in this case, constructed of steel. All of these features can be powdercoated and it is possible that proper thermoplastics can be employedthat function as well or better than steel or other construction metals.

FIG. 5 illustrates the left and right upright base channel supportpanels [110]. The upright channel support panels [110] are comprised ofparallel hollow leg members [126] with slotted mounting holes [111]every 2 inches on the exterior (outward face) and also a matching offsetset of slotted mounting holes every 2 inches on the interior (inwardface) [111], one or more parallel panel support cross member [127],which is perpendicular to the hollow leg members [126]. One base channel[140], supports the structure and connects the parallel hollow legmembers [126]. It may have one or more vertical diagonal cross member(s)[128] per upright support panel [110]. Upright supports of varioussizes, including the upright extension [148] are constructed in the samemanner as above with the exception of the base wheel channel, which isreplaced with a second parallel panel support cross member [127].

Regarding the base channel [140], which has an axle bolt hole on oneside to mount a bearing wheel [144] and an axle hole on the other sideto mount a driven wheel [112], the driven wheel is attached via twoflange bearings and a keyway is used to prevent free rotation. The axleprotrudes outward on either side and can connect to either a sprockethoused internally in the drive box [143], a drive shaft [139], ornothing at all. The base channel [140] is beveled in the center toreduce weight and improve airflow along the floor plane. Other tappedholes are found on the channel to mount other features such as, optionalAnti-Tip brackets [145] and diagonal cross supports [141]. The use of ahorizontal diagonal cross support [141] between each upright supportpanel [110] further imparts shear stress resistance support to thestructure.

FIG. 5A is a detailed illustration of the offset slotted mounting holes[111].

FIG. 5B shows a securing sleeve [119] that sleeves into the top orupright support panels [119 ] (not shown) that has threaded rivets [129]to receive small bolts to secure the upright channel support panel [110]to and upon other upright support panels of various heights to extendthe total height as required for the final product height.

The securing sleeve [119] can connect various part options and providesstructural rigidity to the overall system [100].

FIG. 5C shows the securing sleeve [119] attached to the hollow legmember [126] upper end of an upright support panel [110] in preparationfor inclusion of an additional tier or a customizable feature.

Rather than tear drop style orifices the slidable shelving and supportsystem [100] will use slit orifices [111], although another shapedorifice can be employed if desired. The slit orifices [111] are designedfor ease of assembly, customization, and disassembly of the shelving andsupport system [100].

FIG. 6 depicts the telescoping trellis pole [115]. As plants get taller,growers need poles in corners of grow canopies to attach trellis nettingto help support taller plants. The trellis pole [115] is bent and shapedso that when it is inserted into the hollow leg member [126] of theupright channel support panels [110] or similar support panels, as shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B, it does not interfere with the parallel panelsupport cross members [127], which are perpendicular to the leg members[126], not interfere with the diagonal cross member [128].

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C provide front, side, and rear views, respectively,of a two-tiered customizable, slidable shelving and support system [100a]. FIGS. 7A-7C represent the use of the construction/constructedequation; L→Cn=2→R for each tier, where the center tray is present astwo sections. Shelf spacing can be customized as shelves adjustvertically in 2-inch increments. Additionally, the number of shelvesthat can be mounted to the slidable shelving and support system is onlylimited by the amount of space the consumer has available, bothvertically and horizontal.

FIG. 8 provides a detailed front view of the drive shaft [139]connecting to the drive axle of the drive wheel [112] which is supportedby two flange bearings [149] bolted to the base wheel channel which ispart of the base channel [140]. The drive shaft cover [142] has beenremoved for an unobstructed view.

FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of the two-piece mounted floor trackconsisting of an extruded aluminum track [114] and a steel bar [150].The driven wheel [112] rolls on the steel bar and does not contact thealuminum track. The aluminum track contains an anti-tip channel whichallows the anti-tip bracket [145] to glide freely within this channelwithout contacting the track. Bolts pass through the steel bar and thealuminum track to secure both to the floor. This assembly prevents theslidable shelving and support system [100] of various lengths andheights from being able to disconnect from the floor-mounted track inthe event of misuse or a seismic event.

The customizable, slidable shelving and support system is offered in astandard eight (8) foot assembly configuration, represented as L→Cn=2→R,including a left tray, two center trays, and a right tray. Customizationof the tray connections to include L→Cn=1→R or L→Cn=0→R requires theseparate purchase of custom front and rear beams in four (4) and or six(6) foot lengths in order to accommodate a change in the number ofcenter trays from Cn=2 to Cn=0,1.

The L→Cn=2→R embodiment is the standard from which any customizationwould occur.

In a one embodiment the interlocking trays are constructed from 6061aluminum at a thickness of 1.57 mm, or any metal that can withstandconstant exposure to water, support significant amounts of weight, andcan withstand the placement of and maintain a welded seam.

In another embodiment the interlocking trays are powder coated if theyare metallic.

In an additional embodiment, the trays and tray inserts may berectangular, square, round, trapezoidal, triangular or of any desiredshape for the space allowed and of sufficient strength and mayincorporate a smooth or textured surface.

In an additional embodiment, the customizable shelving and supportsystem can be used in outdoor greenhouses and by agricultural farmers,as the system has been constructed from materials that will not rust inwet conditions, includes no mechanical or electrical parts, and can besecured to prevent movement as needed.

Methods of locking and unlocking the track wheel system such asutilizing a pin, pawl, brake, clamp, or stop that can be activatedmanually or remotely by hydraulic, pneumatic, electro-magnetic,electro-mechanical means will be apparent to one skilled in the art, andcan be employed as desired.

While the principles of this invention have been described in connectionwith specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that thesedescriptions are made only by way of example and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. One or more portable slidable shelving andsupport apparati with a customizable tier configuration that includesinterlocking trays with optional tray inserts comprising: a left sidetray portion, a center tray portion and an optional right side trayportion, wherein said left side tray portion, center tray portion, andright side tray portion include a top planar portion wherein saidslidable shelving and support apparati also includes a frame comprisinga front beam, a sloped gutter, a rear beam, an optional center supportcross member, a left upright support panel, and a right upright supportpanel wherein said rear beam is connected to said upright support paneland wherein a sloped gutter mounts to a backside of left and rightupright support panels and is attached to said front beam so that saidsloped gutter remains visible and wherein said rear beam is secured inan elevated position relative to said front beam that allows forincreased drainage of interlocking trays and wherein said uprightsupport panels include one or more grooved wheels attached to each legof said upright support panels via an aperture that extends through awheel axle and a fixture that utilizes said aperture such that saidfixture is placed upon a mounted floor track surface wherein saidslidable shelving and support apparati provides at least one workstationand/or storage area and thereby provides an optimal growth platform forbotanical plants from which botanical extracts are extracted byplacement of said support apparati in specific locations within certaingeographic regions that include glass enclosed rooms and/or houses. 2.The portable slidable shelving and support apparatus of claim 1, whereinadditional features added include a trellis pole located at least one ormore of each top corner section of each of said upright support panelsand wherein offset slotted mounting apertures exist for one or moreupright supports that may be opposing upright supports.
 3. The trayinserts of claim 1, wherein said trays inserts have rounded edges andsaid tray inserts serve as workstation platforms occupied by plants andwherein said tray inserts are tilted downward and allow for waterrun-off to said sloped gutter.
 4. The tray inserts of claim 1, whereinsaid tray inserts are equal in height to dividing walls of saidinterlocking trays so that when said tray inserts are set in place, eachentire tray insert surface is level in a horizontal direction along ahorizontal plane and allows placement of objects on any portion of saidtray insert surface.
 5. The interlocking trays of claim 1, wherein saidinterlocking trays are configured to interconnect to provide aconfiguration as follows; said left side portion (L) is connected to acenter portion (C_(n)) that is connected to a right side portion (R)that depends on a desired total width (d_(T)) of said slidable shelvingand support apparatus, wherein C_(n) is optional and n=0,1,2 and whereina width (d) of each interlocking tray is a combined width comprising asd_(L) a width of said left tray portion, d_(Cn) a width of said centertray portion and d_(R), a width of said right tray portion respectively,where a total width (d_(T)) of all three tray portions within a fullyassembled shelving and support apparatus is determined using Equation(1);d _(T) =d _(L) +d _(Cn) d _(R)   (1)
 6. The interlocking trays of claim1, wherein each tray includes a predetermined drop along a bottom backpanel of said interlocking trays that lock said trays onto said rearbeam and a corresponding predetermined drop along said bottom frontpanel that locks said tray onto said sloped gutter and wherein saidgutter locks onto and/or is part of, said front beam.
 7. Theinterlocking trays of claim 1, wherein a front portion of each tray isbuilt without a lip portion so that water is allowed to run into saidsloped gutter and may also include an optional angled left side tab on afront left portion of said left tray and an angled right side tab on afront right portion of said right tray that directs a flow of waterinward that thereby assures water falls into said sloped gutter andprevents said tray inserts from sliding out of place.
 8. Theinterlocking trays of claim 1, wherein said trays include two or morehanging orifices in a rear wall of said interlocking trays that providean ability for hanging said interlocking trays in a position that allowsfor time savings in cleaning/pressure washing said interlocking trays.9. The portable slidable shelving and support apparatus of claim1,wherein said slidable shelving is a two-tiered customizable slidableshelving and support system connected in series to another bay bysharing a single support upright consisting of a base channel supportpanel connected to an extension upright via a securing sleeve withdriveshafts that connect each driven wheel axle along an entire lengthof said connected slidable shelving and support apparatus and isprotected from accidental bending by drive shaft covers secured by boltsto both a front face and a top face of one or more wheel channels. 10.The portable slidable shelving and support apparatus of claim 9, whereinsaid drive shaft is connected to a drive axle of a drive wheel that issupported by two flange bearings bolted to a base wheel channel thatallows for a portion of a base channel support panel using a securingsleeve that can also support an upright.
 11. A method for using one ormore portable slidable shelving and support devices with customizabletier configurations that utilize interlocking trays with optional trayinserts comprising: a left side tray portion, a center tray portion andan optional right side tray portion, wherein said left side trayportion, center tray portion, and right side tray portion include a topplanar portion wherein said slidable shelving and support apparati alsoincludes a frame comprising a front beam, a sloped gutter, a rear beam,an optional center support cross member, a left upright support panel,and a right upright support panel wherein said rear beam is connected tosaid upright support panel and wherein a sloped gutter mounts to abackside of left and right upright support panels and is attached tosaid front beam so that said sloped gutter remains visible and whereinsaid rear beam is secured in an elevated position relative to said frontbeam that is allowing for increasing drainage of interlocking trays andwherein said upright support panels include one or more grooved wheelsattached to each leg of said upright support panels via an apertureextending through a wheel axle and a fixture utilizing said aperturesuch that said fixture is placed upon a mounted floor track surfacewherein said slidable shelving and support apparati are providing atleast one workstation and/or storage area and thereby providing anoptimal growth platform for botanical plants from which botanicalextracts are extracted by placement of said support apparati in specificlocations within certain geographic regions including glass enclosedrooms and/or houses.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein additionalfeatures added include a trellis pole located at least one or more ofeach top corner section of each of said upright support panels andwherein offset slotted mounting apertures exist for one or more uprightsupports that may be opposing upright supports.
 13. The tray inserts ofclaim 11, wherein said trays inserts have rounded edges and said trayinserts serve as workstation platforms occupied by plants and whereinsaid tray inserts are tilted downward and allow for water run-off tosaid sloped gutter.
 14. The tray inserts of claim 11, wherein said trayinserts are equal in height to dividing walls of said interlocking traysso that when said tray inserts are set in place, each entire tray insertsurface is level in a horizontal direction along a horizontal plane andallows placement of objects on any portion of said tray insert surface.15. The interlocking trays of claim 11, wherein said interlocking traysare configured to interconnect to provide a configuration as follows;said left side portion (L) is connected to a center portion (C_(n)) thatis connected to a right side portion (R) that depends on a desired totalwidth (d_(T)) of said slidable shelving and support apparatus, whereinC_(n) is optional and n=0,1,2 and wherein a width (d) of eachinterlocking tray is a combined width comprising as d_(L) a width ofsaid left tray portion, d_(Cn) a width of said center tray portion andd_(R), a width of said right tray portion respectively, where a totalwidth (d_(T)) of all three tray portions within a fully assembledshelving and support apparatus is determined using Equation (1);d _(T) =d _(L) +d _(Cn) +d _(R)   (1)
 16. The interlocking trays ofclaim 11, wherein each tray includes a predetermined drop along a bottomback panel of said interlocking trays that lock said trays onto saidrear beam and a corresponding predetermined drop along said bottom frontpanel that locks said tray onto said sloped gutter and wherein saidgutter locks onto and/or is part of, said front beam.
 17. Theinterlocking trays of claim 11, wherein a front portion of each tray isbuilt without a lip portion so that water is allowed to run into saidsloped gutter and may also include an optional angled left side tab on afront left portion of said left tray and an angled right side tab on afront right portion of said right tray that directs a flow of waterinward that thereby assures water falls into said sloped gutter andprevents said tray inserts from sliding out of place.
 18. Theinterlocking trays of claim 11, wherein said trays include two or morehanging orifices in a rear wall of said interlocking trays that providean ability for hanging said interlocking trays in a position that allowsfor time savings in cleaning/pressure washing said interlocking trays.19. The portable slidable shelving and support apparatus of claim11,wherein said slidable shelving is a two-tiered customizable slidableshelving and support system connected in series to another bay bysharing a single support upright consisting of a base channel supportpanel connected to an extension upright via a securing sleeve withdriveshafts that connect each driven wheel axle along an entire lengthof said connected slidable shelving and support apparatus and isprotected from accidental bending by drive shaft covers secured by boltsto both a front face and a top face of one or more wheel channels. 20.The portable slidable shelving and support apparatus of claim 19,wherein said drive shaft is connected to a drive axle of a drive wheelthat is supported by two flange bearings bolted to a base wheel channelthat allows for a portion of a base channel support panel using asecuring sleeve for an upright.